Ivan's expression had changed noticeably when he left the room. What Reiko had said to him remained a mystery, but judging by her confident demeanor, she had clearly achieved her objective.
After a long, satisfying sleep, she finally dragged herself out of bed around noon the next day.
"Hmm? Isn't that Kousei? Where's she off to?" Reiko mumbled, yawning with sleepy eyes.
Peeking out the window, she saw Kousei rushing off and thought, She didn't go to the Training Track today?
Though it was strange, Reiko wasn't worried about Kousei. While some Umamusume skipped training for the oddest reasons, Kousei was far too self-disciplined for that.
Besides, Reiko had her own business to attend to—not that she ever had a moment to spare.
After a quick wash-up, Reiko headed to a quiet room. Ivan's men stood guard at the door. After exchanging greetings, she stepped inside.
The scene within was rather interesting.
Seated inside were the five Umamusume that Central had gone to great lengths to plant here.
"Ah, I recognize you. You're Kousei's Trainer," Tides spoke first.
The atmosphere was tense. Except for Tides, everyone remained silent. Meek huddled in the farthest corner, not uttering a word, clearly unwilling to engage with Reiko. Hyacinth looked reluctant but didn't outright refuse to talk, while the remaining two completely ignored Reiko.
The reason for their resistance was that Reiko had asked Ivan to use some "small tricks" to bypass Ebinuma and "invite" them here.
Tides appeared quite relaxed, as if this had nothing to do with her. Hyacinth, on the other hand, was more composed. Reiko knew she was the captain and held significant authority within the group.
"I don't know why you're doing this," Hyacinth said, her tone hostile, "but I will report today's events truthfully to Lord Ebinuma. I hope you understand the consequences of your actions."
Reiko, fully aware of the implications, calmly sat down and spoke in a friendly tone. "Of course. That's your prerogative. I only asked you here to talk—I have no ill intentions. I know you weren't the originally selected participants and were moved up the list with the Central Committee's help."
The tension in the room ratcheted up instantly. Tides dropped her casual demeanor, sitting up straight to scrutinize Reiko. Hyacinth's hostile gaze now held a flicker of apprehension. From the back, Meek quietly watched everything unfold, her eyes filled more with curiosity than anything else.
All eyes were fixed on Reiko, waiting for her next words.
"Are you threatening us?" Hyacinth demanded. "Our status was approved by Lord Ivan. We have every right to participate in this race."
"Of course not. Relax, Hyacinth," Reiko replied smoothly. "I'm not threatening you. I'm not the Central Committee; I don't play those games."
"We're just Umamusume. Please stop beating around the bush."
Reiko smiled. "I know your respective academies signed contracts with Central to obstruct Kousei. And Kousei herself has already said she doesn't mind being boxed in."
How does she know about the box-in strategy? The thought flashed through everyone's mind.
"But," Reiko continued, "I imagine you're not just here for a chance to race against Kousei, are you?"
Except for Happy Meek, the others' expressions tightened.
Reiko slapped a stack of documents onto the table, her tone turning serious. "The deal was: obstruct Kousei, and you'll be granted admission to Tracen Academy. It's not easy coming from a small town. That's a prize worth fighting for."
Now that the issue was out in the open, Hyacinth and the others actually felt less nervous.
"Joining Tracen means everything to us," Hyacinth declared immediately, her resolve clear. The others remained silent, but their expressions showed they felt the same. "So no matter how you criticize us, we won't give up."
"Oh, I'm not here to criticize you," Reiko said. "Kousei also clawed her way up from a small town. She even carries the stigma of being a traitor. When it comes to fighting for our own interests, we're on the same side."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm here to extend an invitation. I'm inviting you all to join Northern Academy."
The group exchanged glances. Northern Academy was Kousei's own academy. They had heard of it—like the Eastern Lands, it was rapidly developing, and its admission standards were relatively lenient.
But...
"How can Northern Academy even compare to Central?" Hyacinth countered. "Setting aside the quality of training resources and trainers, Northern Academy can't host international races. From any angle, Central is far superior."
Everything Hyacinth said was true. It was precisely why they had chosen to cooperate with Central, even knowing Northern Academy was actively recruiting.
"I can't argue with that—you're right on all counts," Reiko conceded. "But we're different from the Central Committee. Whether you win the race or not, our doors will always be open to you."
"The way you say that makes it sound like you think we're guaranteed to lose," Hyacinth retorted, her voice laced with indignation. Tides and the others also looked displeased.
"You all must think you're special, don't you?" Reiko continued. "You traveled all this way because of that rumor, just to seize the throne of the 'Protagonist.'"
"That's right," Hyacinth declared, clenching her fists, her ambition unmistakable. "I will defeat the 'Villain' and become the one true 'Protagonist'!"
Tides seemed to realize something, a playful smile touching her lips. It was clear she was eager for the challenge.
Youth was always defined by soaring ambition, especially for these girls, who were the pride of their respective regions. They yearned to defeat the strong, make a name for themselves, and forge their own legends.
"So," Reiko said, "have you still not realized the problem?"
Reiko's words cut them off, leaving the group looking bewildered.
"What's the problem with that?"
Reiko was happy to elaborate. "The 'Protagonist' can be anyone, but the 'Villain' can only be Kousei. So, who is the real protagonist? And who is truly the 'one and only'?"
Her counter-question left Hyacinth and her group speechless. Their expressions darkened; they had clearly realized something.
Reiko pressed her advantage. "It's not just NAU—the entire world is watching Kousei. Her every move shapes the course of events. She is the center of the world.
"She's the headline news, the embodiment of everyone's hopes, the boss that requires a united front to defeat. Central, the Eastern Lands, NAU, even the Eagle circling in the West—they've all placed their bets on her.
"Everyone is waiting to see how far she'll go. Her races are monumental. She is the one stirring a storm across this world, a revolution that will soon sweep across the globe.
"For better or worse, everyone has been drawn here by her—including you."
"So, admit it.
"You've been living in Kousei's era all along. She is the 'One and Only' in this grand drama."
A perfect arrow, right between the eyes.
Hyacinth fell silent, frustration clouding her brow. She couldn't refute it. After all, the absence of any one of them would change nothing. But if Kousei were gone, none of this would be happening.
"Is winning all that matters? And can a victory won by ganging up on someone truly be called a victory?"
The Umamusume stage is the ultimate showcase of individual brilliance. Every legendary figure immortalized in history was a monster forged in the crucible of individualism.
Symboli Rudolf, Mejiro McQueen, Tokai Teio...
From ancient times to the present—and into the future—the ideal of individual heroism remains unchanged, just as Tracen Academy's motto proclaims: "One Horse Leads, Ten Thousand Fade."
After grasping the true meaning of the school motto, Mejiro McQueen underwent a transformation, defeating titans like Tokai Teio to claim the throne of "The Strongest."
Kousei acts purely out of selfish desire, yet the world has begun to revolve around her. The difference in their stature is starkly clear.
The race hadn't even started, yet the psychological gap between them was already immense. A brief clash had completely shifted the momentum.
Reiko stepped out of the room, leaving one final remark just as the door was about to close.
"Northern Academy welcomes you all. If you intend to continue ganging up on her, so be it—if your 'pride' allows it."